Photo from BeautyByJellyBean.com
This post was originally published on February 4, 2018. It was maintained on April 17, 2024.
This post is/was not endorsed or sponsored by Beautylish and/or any brands mentioned here and was written by a dear friend and makeup enthusiast Alexanna.
To learn more about beauty boxes, how the business model works, and what to expect from them, check out this post called the Beauty Box Dilemma.
See Alexanna’s other write-ups:
Beautylish Unboxing 2020 | Beautylish Unboxing 2021
For those who don’t know, Beautylish is a website that caters to selling high-end and luxury makeup brands. I always order my OG makeup remover and face oil from this website and their customer service is top-notch.
Every December 26th (Boxing Day), their Lucky Bags go on sale.
In order to get early access to this bag, you HAVE to be subscribed to their e-newsletter.
The bag goes on sale to their subscribers first, and then the general public. It’s a good idea to get signed up earlier rather than later since the Lucky Bag sells out quickly.
This is the second year that I ordered a Lucky Bag and this year, there were two types of bags:
1) Get at least $150 worth of product for spending $75 on Beautylish.com.
2) Get at least $350 worth of product for spending $1,000+ on Beautylish.com in the 2017 calendar year.
With tax, the Lucky Bag came to $82. I ordered mine on Dec 26 and it arrived on my doorstep Jan 12 (which I’m OK with, considering they tell you up front how long shipping times will take). Yay for Christmas in January!
Who Should Order The Lucky Bag?
The exciting thing about this Lucky Bag is that it’s a mystery bag! You have NO IDEA what products you’ll receive. It’s like playing the makeup lottery 🙂
I’m not much of a gambler myself, but knowing how great this company is and knowing all the amazing brands they sell, I’m happy spending money on this surprise.
Word to the wise… if you don’t like surprises, or you are easily disappointed when your expectations aren’t met, DO NOT ORDER THIS BAG.
You should only order this bag if you’re OK with RISKING your money on this mystery bag.
Too often people are displeased with the items they get in their bags and they feel it’s not worth the money they paid and to them I say, “duh, you gambled sista!” They also took away a perfectly good Lucky Bag from someone who actually would have appreciated it.
What Was Inside My Lucky Bag?
I will outline the items I was lucky enough to receive, and I will share my honest thoughts on them:
Product #1 – Natasha Denona 5 Pan Eyeshadow Palette #13 ($48)
Initial Thoughts: I am THRILLED to have received a Natasha Denona eyeshadow palette!
In my 2017 Lucky Bag, I got one of her blush duos which I’ve since gifted to Natalie for her kit.
I am very happy and excited to have this eye palette, and I will definitely get use out of it.
About the Brand: Natasha is fantastic at creating pigmented, creamy matte shadows and dazzling sparkle shades. This particular palette is neutral with pops of a dark green and a satin-blushy color. If I have one negative thing to say about receiving this palette, it would be that I wish I received one of her colorful, more vibrant palettes. But, I’m not complaining (you gambled, remember?!), I love this.
Product #2 – Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips Liquid Lipstick in Too Bad I’m Bad ($34)
Initial Thoughts: This is the first Charlotte Tilbury item I ‘own.’ Currently, however, because I’m have so many lip products I’m working my way through, I’ve already given this lipstick to my mother. The color is gorgeous and one that I know she will wear (I would have rocked this color as well, but again, I didn’t NEED it).
My mom put this lipstick on immediately and it seemed to be a dry, thick, mouse texture (which isn’t bad) that had a great staining effect as it wore off.
I’ve heard really good buzz around the CT brand so I am interested in seeing what else this brand has to offer.
Product #3 – Jouer Cosmetics Powder Highlighter in Skinny Dip ($24)
Initial Thoughts: I wouldn’t say that I’m a highlighter aficionado, but in the last year or two I have accumulated a handful of highlighters that I use daily. Though I didn’t NEED another highlighter, I’m so happy and excited to have this one! This illuminator is peachy toned with shimmer, and it is gorgeous.
Product #4 – Wayne Goss Brush #11 ($48)
Initial Thoughts: Wayne Goss is a well known MUA who does amazing YouTube tutorials and educational makeup videos. Last year I got his 02 Powder Brush so I’m thrilled that I got another of his brushes this year. My gambling paid off with this product. I’ve never heard ANYONE complain about getting a WG brush.
Product #5 – Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($22 for 2.2oz bottle)
Initial Thoughts: Of all the products I received this year, this is the one product I wasn’t excited about. Not because this isn’t a great brand and great product, but because I am just not a hair person. I don’t have the patience to style my hair, let alone use styling product. I got this same product in my bag last year, and I’ve gifted both bottles to my sister in law who knows how to style her hair better than me.
Product #6 – Sulwhasoo Sheet Mask ($12)
Initial Thoughts: I am ALWAYS appreciative of a good sheet mask so I won’t complain AT ALL about getting this. Though I don’t use sheet masks often enough to see any long term benefits, I LOVE them for their immediate hydrating, softening effects. I am pleased to have this mask in my face mask rotation.
My Final Thoughts on The Lucky Bag
Overall, I’m 100% pleased with my bag this year and I can’t wait to order my 2019 Lucky Bag.
I spent $82 for $188 worth of product (that’s $106 worth of FREE product)! On that note, I will be writing another blog post on how this bag, or purchase, was my last makeup purchase of 2017, and HOPEFULLY (fingers crossed), the last makeup purchase until 2019 (what you say?!).
I really want to try and limit my 2018 cosmetic purchases to NEEDS (foundation, mascara, essential skincare items) and not wants. I don’t consider my makeup collection big by any means, but it’s big enough for me. The truth is, I do not need any more makeup. Instead, I need to use what I own, and try and use up what I can in 2018 (see accompanying post on this topic). I have enough eyeshadows, eyeshadow palettes, blushes, highlighters, etc. to last me ten lifetimes!!! Just say “NO” in 2018.
Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction.
kevyn aucoin
